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Freckle Tattooing Is the Latest Trend to Take Over Instagram

Freckle Tattooing Is the Latest Trend to Take Over Instagram

Back in 2015, the world saw the faux freckle trend: drawing on fake spots with a light flick of a brown eyebrow/eyeliner pencil. However, applying those dots each and every day can get quite tiresome for the enthusiasts among us. Now thanks to a Montreal-based cosmetic tattoo artist Gabrielle Rainbow, a face full of sun speckles can (semi-permanently) be yours!


The trend is known on Instagram as “freckling,” and it involves tattooing spots onto your face. You read that right. Tattooing with needles! But don’t be alarmed. The procedure actually takes only one hour and the results last for up to two years. In other words, it’s definitely not a lifetime commitment. Plus, if you happen to also get your eyebrows microbladed, it’s an easy procedure to tack on.

And how much does it cost to channel your inner Emma Stone and Lucy Liu? Gabrielle Rainbow’s salon charges $250 for the procedure. “In terms of the freckles, when they are ‘freshly done,’ they will appear swollen almost like bee stings, and the swelling will go down within a couple hours and you’ll be left with your cute, fresh freckles,” Rainbow tells New Beauty. “Over the course of one to two months, the color will soften dramatically and look more natural. They will fade naturally with time, and if you wish to keep them you can always get the color boosted whenever you like.”

You can find more examples of this trend under hashtag #freckletattoo, and aside from giving you a youthful, sun-kissed look, it has another hidden benefit: It can be used to cover acne and scars. We’re watching closely to see if this trend lasts. In the meantime, it’s refreshing to see that a feature once considered a flaw is now a popular beauty statement!

What are your thoughts on semi-permanent tattoos? Would you ever give freckling a shot? Tell us @BritandCo!

(Photos via Emma McIntyre/Getty)

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